Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1887-02-03
A NEW UNIVERSITY.
To Result From the Literally of a
W0FceAteP MAN.

Worcester MAN.
The first thought of most of those who
read of the gift of Mr.. j. G. Clark of
Worcester, says the New York Mail and
Cypress, to found a new university in the
city of his residence, will be that the
same amount Of money would do more
good if added to the endowment Of SOME
educational institution already existing,
. IL is only fair to remind such directors
that they are raising side issue. The
question in such cases as this, is not
whether the million shall be given to
some old institution or used to
found new one; but whether the
million shall be given for educational
purposes at all or not. From the point
of view Of an educated man, it is GER
tainly better that the money should be
put to this use than TO some other; and it
is not best to criticise too sharply the
particular methods chosen for applying
his gift by man who spends his money
thus munifcently for educational pur-
poses.
Again, it is altogether possible that
there is no existing university in this
country with the spirit and purpose of
whose management the donor ia entirely
in accord. Granted that this is the case,
surely the giver may be accorded the
privilege of founding an institution to
carry out his ideas of what form educa-
ton should take.
Mr.. Jonas Gilman Clark, who has an
nounced his purpose to make this new
university, and has associated several
well-known gentlemen with himself in an
incorporation for its government, is now
over 10 years of age, and is a native of
Worcester county. He laid the foundation
of his fortune in California, in lS50GO,
and is now a very rich man. He has
cherished this project for years, and has
spent much time, both in this country
and abroad in examining institutions of
learning, with a view TO adopting their
best points in his own university
The new institution is intended to be a
place where any subject of which any
thing is known may be studied. II will
embrace facilities of arts. sciences, medi-
cine, law, and probably theology. The
gift of $1,000 600 is only preliminary,
and is only intended to start the institu.
ton. The permanent endowment, it is
understood, is yet to come, and is de.
pendent to certain degree at least, on
the interest manifested in the project by
the people of Worcester.
One Of the most important matters in
connection with the foundation is already
settled--the site. A block Of land about
a mile south of the city-hall has been Sc
cured, containing about $50, 900 square
feet Of ground, upon which the buildings
will be placed. This is more than twice
the size of the block that is occupied by
the Columbia College buildings il tbii
city. For the present ut least, this will
afford ample room.
1t is idle at present to speculate upol
what effect an institution of this sort ma,
have upon Harvard. There is room TO
both. Tufts College has grown up II
years Of maturity almost under Harvard
shadow, and the Boston University ,neare
yet, and of very recent foundation, find
plenty of students, and yet interferes no
at all with its older sister. Massachusett
has already so many colleges that surel,
there is room for one more. The peopl
of Worcester ought to be proud Of thei
fellow citizen, and show, by every evi
dence in their power, that they appre
ciate his generosity and are willing +
help him in every way possible.